Estimate of
Sher Shah
 |
Sher Shah Suri
|
Although Sher Shah was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nor was he brought up under
very favorable circumstances, rather he was subjected to tortures and torments
due to the stern behavior of his step-mother and brothers, however, he was
silent and calculating. He had all the worldly wisdom. There may not be any
attraction in his character but he had a strong will to achieve his goal.
Sher Shah
did not believe in chivalry only. He followed the policy of a shrewd diplomat
and utilized every diplomatic trick to attain victory against his enemy. He established
his control over the forts of Chunargarh, Raisin and Rohtasgarh by stratagem
and also achieved victory against Maldeo of Marwar by an excellent trick of
throwing false letters near his camp. He defeated Humayun twice when he was
perturbed due to flood and his arms and ammunition were drenched, but he was
quite emotional at times. He returned safely the ladies of Mughal harem, after
the battle of Chausa, who were captured after the flight of Humayun. His practice
of providing free flood to the poor and the needy and his swing towards the
development of art and learning also indicates that he was a successful ruler
and had all the qualities of a great ruler in him.
Some modern
historians have highly estimated his wisdom and ability. Dr. J.N. Sarkar
writes, “In the conditions of the homes of their boyhood, their early life and
training, and the development of their character even as in the steps by which
they mounted the thrones, the forsaken son of Shahji Bhonsle was the exact
parallel of the son of Hasan Sur. Shivaji and Sher Shah were not only alike in
character and genius but also grew up amidst like circumstances.”
H.G.
Keene writes, “His brief career was devoted to the establishment of the unity
which he had long ago perceived to be the great need of his country. Thought a
devout Muslim, he never oppressed his Hindu subjects. His progresses were the
cause of good to his people instead of being, as is too often the case in
India, the occasion o devastation……… it is a welcome task to take note of such
things as a break in the long annals of rapine and slaughter, and we can do so
without hesitation; for the acts of Sher Shah are attested by his enemies,
writing when he was dead, and when his dynasty had passed away forever.”
Sher Shah
was a great organizer and an efficient commander. The successes which he
attained against the Mughals and the Rajputs indicate towards his ability and
capability. E.B. Havell writes, “Sher Shah showed brilliant capacity as an
organizer, both in military and civil affairs. By dint of indefatigable
industry and personal attention to the smallest details of administration, he
restored law and order throughout Hindustan, in the short space of five years.”
Besides a statesman, ruler and commander, Sher Shah was a lover of education and learning.
He also contributed to the development of architecture during his reign. V.A.
Smith has written about him, “Sher Shah was something more than the capable
leader of a horde of fierce Afghans. He had a nice taste in architecture,
manifested especially in the noble mausoleum at Sasaram in Bihar which he
prepared for himself. He also displayed an aptitude for civil government and
instituted reforms, which were based to some extent on the institutions of
Alauddin Khalji and were developed by Akbar …… he reformed the coinage issuing
an abundance of silver money, excellent in both fineness and execution. That is
good record for a stormy reign of five years. If Sher Shah had been spared he
would have established his dynasty, and the Great Mughals’ would not have
appeared on the stage of history.”
Dr. K.P. Qanungo has aptly written about him, “The
accession of Sher Shah marked the beginning of that era of liberal Islam which
lasted till the reaction of Aurangzeb’s reign … Sher Shah may justly dispute
with Akbar the claim of being the first who attempted to build up an Indian
nation …. The work of Sher Shah’s
administrative genius did not perish with his dynasty, but lasted throughout
the Mughal period with some inevitable changes due to the greater expansion of
the empire …… The revenue and currency system which prevailed in India with
very little modification down to the middle of XIX century were not the achievements
of Akbar but of Sher Shah.”
The greatest
contribution of Sher Shah was the organization of the Afghans who were
scattered here and there, before his ascendancy. He organized them into a
compact whole and made them a power. Prior to him they were being defeated and
driven by the Mughals but Sher Shah infused a national spirit in them and
successfully exiled Humayun and enthroned himself. Thus Sher Shah was a
successful commander, a shrewd politician and an efficient ruler and can be
safely ranked among the best administrators of India.
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